12/02/2022 - HEALTHY COMPANIONSHIP

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So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him. Judges 1:3

After hearing from the Lord that not all tribes should fight for occupying the territory in favor of Judah, the tribe from which the Savior was born asked Simeon for help in ending the occupation of the Canaanites. Simeon and Judah were Jacob’s second and third sons with Leah, so there must have been great closeness between them. When asked if he would help Judah occupy his portion, Simeon offered himself, and this strengthened Leah’s third son in battle.

Companionship in God’s work is important. See what Solomon declared: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Jesus revealed the value of two agreeing in prayer: Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19). They did the work!

The Lord rejoices when there is unity among brothers.  About 1,500 years later, King David spoke about this, saying: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). And he was a descendant of that blessed trunk. On the other hand, when brothers get estranged and act out of God’s will, they make a serious mistake, because a divided house will surely fall apart (Matthew 12:25). It is much better to follow the biblical guidelines.

Judah asked his brother to accompany him to the estate that had been given to him. This was a good compromise agreement for both of them, because after defeating those who were there, Judah would go up with Simeon, in order to also help him take his share. It´s sad when some consider themselves better than others and try to accomplish the work alone. And after so much effort, so much energy and so many unnecessary expenses, they don’t recognize their own mistakes.

Judah and Simeon would have to fight against the Canaanites. These people, who lived there before them, were evil, had no respect for the Lord, and were certainly well armed, waiting for the arrival of Jacob´s sons. This land had been given to these servants of God by the true Owner, the Creator. Likewise, we have been called to conquer the lost world for the Kingdom of Heaven; therefore, we must work for the Gospel, cooperating with those who have also been called.

This companionship has to be in the spiritual realm, because to live by kissing and hugging with the brothers, in order to obtain sustenance, was forbidden by the Lord, who warned us: Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road (Luke 10:4). This does not mean that we should not respect those who do the work of God under another banner. However, an excess of human friendship does no good, because one will easily be disappointed by some attitude of the other

Simeon, Leah´s second son, said yes, going with her third son to take over his inheritance. Later, the same would happen to Judah, who helped his brother to cleanse his portion from the Canaanites. When there is unity, the Kingdom of God only gains. Amen!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares